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Thai authorities have arrested a South Korean national wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for alleged involvement in fraud and international drug trafficking. The suspect, identified only as Mr. Lee, was found living in Phuket after overstaying his visa for almost 3,000 days. The operation was carried out by officers from Immigration Division 6 in cooperation with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and South Korean law enforcement agencies. Investigators tracke

Government offices across Phuket are closed today, August 12, as Thailand observes Mother’s Day, a national holiday held each year on the birthday of Queen Mother Sirikit. This year’s celebrations are the first to take place without Queen Mother Sirikit herself, adding particular significance to the occasion. Events connected with the holiday began on August 11, when Phuket launched a series of community and charitable activities dedicated to the Queen Mother. District and lo

Phuket Immigration Police have arrested a 26-year-old Ukrainian man wanted under an Interpol Red Notice over his alleged involvement in an international cryptocurrency fraud scheme. The suspect, identified by authorities only by the alias Yeken, was arrested on Tuesday, August 11, according to Phuket Immigration. Investigators allege that he and his associates used fake Telegram accounts and created a fraudulent trading platform designed to imitate the well-known cryptocurren

Phuket police have inspected a lion cafe in Chalong after photos circulating on social media appeared to show a Chinese tourist being attacked by a lion. Authorities later confirmed that the image was old and did not depict a recent incident. Officers from Chalong Police Station visited Lion Cafe in Chalong, Mueang Phuket, on August 11 following concerns that the viral images could damage Phuket’s tourism reputation. The inspection was led by Police Colonel Surasak Jaidee, su

Thai authorities have launched a search for a 30-year-old German tourist who went missing after entering the sea at Freedom Beach in Phuket on August 10. Strong winds and rough waves were reported in the area, with red warning flags displayed to alert beachgoers to dangerous conditions. The missing tourist was identified as Jannik Jürgen Knobel, a German national. Authorities were alerted at approximately 3:49 p.m., after which police, rescue teams, local officials and disast

Thailand’s Ministry of Interior has launched an investigation into the Thai citizenship of an Israeli national in Phuket, as well as a business reportedly connected to him, following questions over whether his citizenship was obtained legally. The investigation follows a report published by Phuket Times on August 9 claiming that the Israeli national had acquired Thai citizenship and a Thai identity card and was involved in businesses in Phuket that reportedly generated more t

A fire broke out at a worker camp in Koh Kaew, Phuket, on Sunday evening, August 9, but emergency crews managed to contain the blaze before it spread further. No injuries or fatalities were reported. The fire was reported at around 6:45 p.m. in Soi 24, Koh Kaew. The worker camp occupied an area of approximately two rai and consisted mainly of structures built from zinc sheets. Flames spread rapidly across the site, prompting an immediate emergency response and raising concern

Phuket police have fined a Russian man after a video showing a white BMW sedan performing dangerous drifting manoeuvres near Surin Beach circulated widely on social media. The incident took place late on August 7 in a crowded convenience store parking area in Choeng Thale Subdistrict. Witnesses recorded photographs and video of the vehicle spinning and revving loudly, prompting concern among people in the area. The footage quickly spread online, drawing attention to the drive

A special blood donation campaign marking Mother’s Day in Thailand will begin at the Phuket Red Cross on Monday, August 10, and continue through Friday, August 14. Throughout the week, donors will be welcomed at Phuket Regional Blood Centre (Phuket RBC) and at several mobile donation stations across the island. The campaign is held in honour of Her Majesty Queen Mother Sirikit, with residents and visitors invited to donate blood as part of the annual Mother’s Day activities.

A 25-year-old woman was arrested in Phuket on August 7 for allegedly selling unapproved weight loss injection products online without a licence. The investigation began after Phuket residents complained that slimming products were allegedly being sold secretly from a rented room in Mueang district. Officers from Phuket City Police Station worked with officials from the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office to search the rented room in Soi King Kaeo. During the operation, pol

Phuket authorities have begun proceedings to revoke the operating licence of a cannabis shop in Wichit after an inspection uncovered several violations of the conditions governing its operation. The inspection was carried out on Friday, August 7, following complaints from local residents about gatherings and cannabis smoking inside the premises, which authorities said had raised concerns about a public nuisance. Officials visited the shop and confirmed that it held a valid ca

Police in Phuket have arrested four people, including two foreign nationals and two Thai citizens, in connection with the alleged illegal operation of international schools through nominee business structures. The arrests are part of an ongoing campaign by Phuket Provincial Police and Chalong Police to investigate foreign-owned businesses suspected of violating Thailand’s Foreign Business Act in the Chalong and Rawai areas. During the investigation, officers identified three

Fuel prices at petrol stations in Phuket have started falling again, with petrol and gasohol prices reduced by 0.70 baht per litre from 5am on August 6. Diesel prices remained unchanged. The new Phuket rates were confirmed by the provincial office of Thailand’s Ministry of Energy. The latest reduction reverses part of the upward movement seen during the second half of July, when fuel prices rose sharply on two consecutive days. On July 22, most petrol and gasohol products inc

Phuket Andaman FC is preparing for another campaign in Thailand’s Thai League 3, where the club will once again represent Phuket in the Southern Zone. Most of the team's rivals remain unchanged, including Samui United, setting up another pair of highly anticipated island derbies after Samui claimed both meetings last season. In July, the club officially secured its license to compete in the 2026/27 Thai League 3 season. While the approval was expected, one of the most encoura

Three foreign nationals were arrested in Patong after police discovered they had remained in Thailand beyond the validity of their visas. According to Patong Police, the operation was carried out under the direction of senior officers as part of ongoing immigration enforcement efforts in the district. The individuals taken into custody were identified as: Mr. James Chinekwu Agbo, a Nigerian national Mr. Essam Abdullah, a Kuwaiti national Mr. Ronelio Sollano, a Filipino nation

Phuket authorities have stepped up enforcement against hookah lounges as part of the nationwide Operation 90 Days anti-drug campaign, carrying out two consecutive raids that resulted in the seizure of hookah equipment and tobacco worth approximately 630,000 baht. The inspections targeted entertainment venues in Ratsada and Rawai after officials said they had received complaints from local residents. In both operations, undercover officers conducted test purchases before autho

A Swedish national sought under an Interpol Red Notice on fraud-related charges was arrested in Phuket on August 4 after immigration officers located her on the island. According to police, the suspect, identified only as Felicia, is accused of participating in a large-scale fraud scheme together with more than 14 accomplices. Investigators allege that, in early 2022, the group impersonated representatives of banks and financial institutions, making more than 163 fraudulent p

A 41-year-old British traveler, Zakir Mahood, was discovered deceased in his Patong hotel room on his scheduled departure date. The discovery occurred after hotel personnel entered the room, where a "Do Not Disturb" sign had been displayed continuously for several days. Mahood had been residing in the accommodation independently since July 24 and was set to check out on August 3. According to hotel employees, housekeepers last serviced the room on July 27, after which the gue

Trail runners from Phuket and across Thailand are preparing for Phuket Trail 2026, with this year's event expected to attract more than 1,000 participants. The Phuket round of the Southern Thailand Trail Series 2026 will take place on September 12–13, offering courses for both experienced ultrarunners and first-time trail enthusiasts. Despite the range of distances available, organisers note that the shortest 7-kilometre Fun Trail traditionally sells out first. Seven race dis

Firefighters quickly brought a morning fire under control after flames engulfed a three-storey restaurant building in Phuket's Kata area. Officials confirmed that no one was injured in the incident. According to emergency services, the fire broke out at around 7:00 a.m. on August 3 at a restaurant located next to a hotel in Kata. Fire crews from the Karon Subdistrict Administrative Organization, supported by fire engines and water tankers, responded immediately. The blaze was